Some Prime Minister, or, more probably, some collection of Cabinet Ministers, had asserted the custom to be a bad one,--and, as far as right went, Sir Timothy was declared not to have a leg to stand upon.

He was informed that his services in the House were too valuable to be so lost.

Some people said that his temper was against him.

Others were of opinion that he had risen from the ranks too quickly, and that Lord Ramsden, who had come from the same party, thought that Sir Timothy had not yet won his spurs.

The Solicitor-General resigned in a huff, and then withdrew his resignation.